Assault on MBTA Bus Driver Leads to Gun Arrest

BOSTON, Oct. 30, 2017—A man who allegedly harassed a female passenger on an MBTA bus and then flashed a handgun and assaulted the driver before fleeing through a Revere movie theater was arraigned on firearms and assault charges this week, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

HAKEEM RICKER (D.O.B. 7/29/97) of Lynn was arraigned Monday in Chelsea District Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, and threats to commit a crime for the incident Friday evening onboard a bus headed through Revere to Central Square in Lynn.

Judge Randy Chapman set bail at $25,000 cash and, at the request of Assistant District Attorney Kevin Bergin, ordered Ricker to stay away from all witnesses in the case and revoked his open bail on an unrelated case charging assault with a dangerous weapon.

The sequence of events began to unfold shortly before 8:00 pm, when Ricker began to take photos or videos of a fellow passenger without her permission. This passenger, who was a stranger to Ricker, told him to stop and delete the images, and then moved to the front of the bus to get away from him. Ricker followed her.

The driver of the bus observed this harassment and intervened on the woman’s behalf. He pulled over in the area of Squire Road, reported the incident, and requested assistance. At this point, Ricker allegedly threatened the driver, struck his hat, threw a water bottle at his face, and raised his shirt above his waistband, revealing the handle of a firearm. He then fled the bus headed toward a nearby movie theater.

Transit Police responded to the scene, where a passenger provided them with a cell phone photo of the assailant. In the course of their canvas, they spoke with a security guard at the theater who indicated that the suspect may have fled through the building and out the back door. Moments later, they spotted and detained Ricker behind the theater. Witnesses identified him as the individual who had harassed the bus passenger and assaulted the driver. Transit Police took Ricker into custody.

Revere Police also responded to the area and provided a K-9 unit to assist in the search. The K-9 unit located a firearm beneath some gravel underneath a bush in the area where Ricker had been observed. This firearm was secured, seized, and found to be a 9mm semiautomatic handgun with a defaced brand and serial number. It was loaded with seven rounds of ammunition.

Ricker was represented by attorney Francisco Napolitano. He returns to court on Nov. 29.

 

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.